Automatic phonograph



' Oct. 24, 1933.

E. E. COLLISON ET AL 1,931,487

AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Fil-ed June 27. 19:51

2 Sheets-Sheet l l I I rbw -(z iumrim d ATTORNEYJ.

0d. 24, 1933. E, CQLLISQN ET AL 1,931,487

AUTOMAT IC PHONOGRAPH Filed June 27, 1931 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYJ.

Patented Oct. 24, 1933 UNITED STATES" AT NT] QFF E L I I AUTOMATIC P HONOGRAPHY Y Y Edward E. Collison and Arthur L. Knox, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignors to The Capehart Corporation, Fort Wayne, Ind.,' a corporation Application Junezr, 1931'. sensing: 547,202

24 Claims. (01. 274-) g This invention relates to an automaticphonograph of the semi-automatic type for playing disk records, as set forth and described generally in the copendirig applications SerialNo. 471,218,

5 filed August 23, 1930, and Serial No. 496,082, filed November 17, 1930.

One feature of theinvention resides in automatic means for gripping and locking the record being reproduced with the centering pin and of this character, wherein the record being reproduced is supported upon one or more records thereunder, that slippage sometimes occurs, particularly if the records are warped. This is due to the fact that the comparatively smooth surfaces of the records do not present sufficient frictional contact to rotate the record being reproduced with the same speed at all times as the turntable. Whereas in the ordinary turntable a felt is usually, provided for. providing the frictional contact, in machines of, this character, wherein one or more records are interposed be- .tween the record being reproduced and'the turntable, sufficient frictional engagement is not present. This has a tendency to occasionally permit a record to lag behind, creating a difference in tone which is objectionable.

By means of this invention a finger is pivotally mounted within the centering pin which is actuated by the record changing mechanism,,whereby it will be drawn within the centering pin for permitting a new record to be dropped into place, and upon completing the record changing operation, the mechanism will permit the pin to be forced outwardly under spring tension against the inner edge of the center opening of the record so as to be in engagement therewith.

' Another featureof the invention resides in the record retaining hooks for temporarily-supporting the edge of the unplayed records in the stack while the record carrying bracket is lowered from loading position into feeding position. Without the provision of the temporary hooks, it is found that upon the records being mounted on their supporting pin when the bracket isin elevated position for loading, they are free to swing so. that upon the bracket being lowered into hori-- zontal orfeeding position, the group of records will tilt or swing vertically so as to properly en,-

gage upon the peripheral supporting plate.

t .By means of the temporary supporting hooks,

the records are held in a positive parallel relation. to the supporting bracket while being lowered: so that their, edges engage upon the peripheralsupporting plate in position to be discharged,

turntable. It has been found that in machines whereupon ,the temporary hooks ware automatically returnedto inoperative position;

of the record changing mechanism so as to cre- 00 7 ate a sliding movement out of clutching position, whereby the engaging surfaces of the clutchiwill be sufliciently spaced apart so as to avoid chatf aring; I I. :1;

A further feature of theginvention residesiin the provision of manual-means in additionnto. the automatic, means for discharginga. recordfrom the magazine into playing-position. is 5' The full nature of the inventionwill -be.'understood from the accompanying. drawings'and the following descriptionand claimszu I ,In the drawings,.Fig. 1 isa sidez elevation of a portion of a machine 1 shown and described in the above mentioned applications, with parts thereof shown in section. Fig'.--2 is a-plan viewof the recordsupporting bracket with a portion thereof brokenaway. Fig. 3 is a modified" form of the r cordengaging finger;

In the drawings, reference is-specifl'callymade to the structure shown and described inwthe above-mentioned applications, and particularly application Serial No. 496,082,.upo'rrwhich the following-described mechanismis an improvement, there being, illustrated herein asup'porting iii table 10 upon which a recordturntablell is-ro- 86 tatably mounted for supporting a record-12 to be played. Rotatably'mounte'd with. theturntable, and extending upwardly therefromgthereis an elongated centering pin 13 for centering'and holding upon the turntable in' playing position a 90 plurality, of records. Mounted above the, centering pin thereyis a record retaining spindle 14 upon which a pluralityof records'is mounted'and held suspended by an-oil'set 15, said oflset being' in substantial alignment with the pin 13 and slightly spaced from the upperend-thereof.

.The spindle 14 extends downwardly fromia bracket plate 16 pivotallyqmountedkat' 1-7 on 'a' supporting standard 18-:soas to swing upwardly thereon. The.- edgey-ofzthexlower r'ecord'1-2 -in' the group of recordsheld by the spindle 14:is"sup'- ported upon a plate l9s-projectingforwardly from thestandard 18.-'

As more specifically described in the lastmentioned copending application,-the plate 19"is slidablymounted ina pair oi swivel trunnions 20', the trunnions being pivotally"mou'nted in'thestandard 18,. whereby-said platemay' slide -for-' V W wardly and rearwardly of said. trunnion. while' swiveling thereon.

ing the plate in either forward or rearward position, there is provided a curved link 25 pivotally connected with one of the ears 24 by a pin 25a engaging in a slot 25b at one end thereof and connected by a spring 26 to another part of the mechanism as will be hereinafter described.

Thus, the supporting plate is yieldingly held in one position or the other upon being moved past center,. as is more fully set forth and described in the last-mentioned copending application.

Slidably mounted upon the upper surface of the plate 19 thereis a record discharge plate 27. Said supporting plate 19 is provided with openings 31 in which the downwardly-extending cars 32 on plate 27, extend in position to be engaged by the fingers 33 upon the record dischargeactuating arms 34. Said arms are secured to a shaft 35 supported by the standards 18. Pivotally mounted on the standards 18 there is a lever 38 adapted to be engaged by thecam surface 39 on the cam 40. The upper end of the lever is connected by a spring to one of the arms 34 so that upon the lever 38 being actuated by the cam 40,

.the upper end thereof, through the spring 30, will yieldingly pull the arms 34 forwardly, through the shaft for actuatingthe discharge plate 27.

It will be noted that the fingers 33, as above described, engage the ears 32 when the supporting plate 19 is in rearward position for supporting a twelve-inch record. When-said plate is in forward position to support ten-inch records, the ears 32 would be engaged by the forward shoulders of the arms 34, so that in eitherposition the arms 34 will move the plate 2'7 to discharge a record. I a

In order that the records will firmly seat upon the supporting plate .19, the bracket 16 is provided with a hinged arm 41, having a weight 42 at the free end thereof, the weight engaging the upper surface of the top record immediately above the plate 19.

The turntable is rotated continuously by the motor 52 through a drive-shaft 52a, worm, and worm gear 52b which drive the elongated centering pin 13. A shaft 53 is driven through a worm and worm gear 53a from the centering pin. The shaft 53 is connected with a shaft 54 by a screw coupling 55. The shaft '54 is mounted in a bearing 56 supported by a bracket 57 from the table 10. Keyed to the shaft 54 there is a clutch member 58 having serrated teethproviding a clutching surface adapted to engage with the serrated teeth of a clutch member 59 slidably' keyed to a shaft 60, said shaft 60 having a bearing at one end within the clutch member 58 and at the other end being supported by a suitable bracket, not shown, depending from the table 10. The screw coupling 55 slidably engages in a socket 55a and the end of the shaft 54. Keyed to the shaft 54 about thesocket there is a collar 54a and surrounding said shaft intermediate the collar 54a and bearing 56, there is a spring'washer 61- acting to maintain the clutch member 58 in retracted position away from the clutch member 59, The

' bers.

spring 62 normally maintains such clutch members in operative engagement when the member 59 is released.

The cam 40 is keyed to the shaft 60, and in addition to the cam surface 39 on one face thereof, there are provided cam surfaces 63 and 64 on the other face thereof. A supporting arm 65 extends froin the bracket 57 for rotatably Supporting a rod 66 on which a latch 6'7 is secured, having a cam face 68 adapted to be engaged by a pin 69 protruding from the clutch member 59. Said latch has an extension 70 thereon in position to be engaged by the cam surface 64 on the cam 40 for causing the latch 6'? to engage the pin 69.

In operation, when the rod 66 is turned clockwise, through mechanism (not shown but fully described in the above-mentioned applications) actuated upon the reproducer reaching the end of the record, the latch 6'7 will release the pin 69 so that the spring 62 will force the clutch member 59 into engagement with the clutch member 58, thereby revolving the cam 40. The load thereby imparted to the shaft 54 will resist the driving shaft 53, whereupon the twisting force of the screw coupling therebetween will push the shaft 54 and clutch member 58 forwardly, compressing the spring washer 61. In that position, it will continue to drive the record changing mechanism through the cam 40; During this movement, a new record will be dropped on the turntable from the spindle 14.

-When the cam surface 64 has completed one revolution, it will engage the extension '70, turningv the rod 66 in the reverse direction so as to raise the latch 67 in position to cause the pin 69 to ride upon the cam surface 68 of said latch, compressing the spring 62 and disengaging the clutch mem- Thereupon the cam 40 will come to rest and the spring washer 61 will force the shaft 54 and clutch member 58 to the right so as to separate the clutch surfaces a substantial distance to prevent chattering. Without the separating movement of the spring washer, it willbe understood that immediately upon the serrated teeth of the clutching surfaces becoming sufllciently separated to prevent driving of the cam 40, there will be no further separation, and due to the continued rotation of the clutch member 58 with the surfaces in such close proximity, through inaccuracies in machining, there will be an occasional grinding or chattering where the serrated teeth of the clutching surfaces come in contact.

' For the purpose of interlocking the record being reproduced with the turntable and centering pin so as to secure constant rotation and prevent slippage, the centering pin is provided with an elongated recess 101 in which a finger 102 is pivotally mounted at 103. Slidably mounted in said recess behind the pivoted finger, there is a bar 104 extending downwardly through the lower end of the centering pin shaft. Said bar is provided with a recessed portion 105 for permitting the finger 102 to nest therein when in inoperative position, as shown in full lines. The upper end of the bar is provided with a sloping surface 106 adapted to engage with a corresponding surface on the upper end of the finger 102. The bar is also provided with a sloping surface 107 in registry with a corresponding surface on the lower end of the pin 102. The bottom of the bark provided with a collar 108 against which a spring 109 is adapted to bear, the other end of said spring abutting thebearlng of the centering pin shaft. Thus, the spring 109 normally forces the bar downwardly so that the beveled surface 106' .anism is in position to change a record'by causly, as shown in dotted lines, under spring tension. Pivotallymounted at the lower end of the bracket 57 there is a lever 110, one end of which is provided with a roller 111 adapted to be engaged by the peripheral surface of the cam 40 and the other end of which bears against the collar 108 for forcing the bar 104 releasing it. t

In operation, when the record changing meching the lower record of the group todrop over the centering pin, the cam 40 has caused the lever 110 to raise the bar 104 against the spring This action causes tension of the spring 109. the surface 107 to engage the corresponding surface of the finger 102 which will'retract the finger and cause it to nest within-the centering pin bracket, is being lowered into horizontal posi-,,, tion, there is provided a pair of hooks 120 formed on the end of the rods 121 which are bent at right angles to the curved arms 122. Said arms arepivotally connected at 123 within the bracket 16, for permitting the arms and hooks to slide back and forth to and from the. positionsshown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 2. A spring-124 normally holds said arms in forward position,

as shown in full lines, through its engagement with the adjacent ends of the levers 125 to which the arms 122 are pivotally connected at 126. The rear ends of the levers 125 are provided with projections .127 which slide within the wall of the bracket 16 in position to engage in a slot 128 formed therein, wherein'twelve-inch records are mounted on the bracket. The downwardly projecting lugs 129 are so positioned' on the levers 125 as to contact withthe rigid projections 130 as the bracket 16 is lowered into operating position, wherein ten-inch records are mounted thereon. wherein twelve-inch records are mounted thereon, a similar projection 131 is provided for likewise engaging with the rigid projection 130. a

In operation, as will be noted from the abovementioned copending applications, the records are loaded onto the supporting bracket 16 when it is in elevated or vertical position, being swung about the pivotal mounting 17. In this'position, the spindle 14 extends laterally and the records hang in vertical position thereon. The lower edges of the records while being loaded, are forced over the hooks 120 so as to be engaged by the rods 121 and held firmly in position on the spindle under tension of the spring 124. If ten-inch records are thus being mounted, 'the levers which actuated the rods and hooks are in the position shown in full lines. As thebracket is lowered, the lower edges of the records are thereby supported and steadied by the hooks 120 upon which the bottom record rests so as to, maintain the records at all times during the lowering movement in parallel relation to the bracket, whereby they will be properly seated upon the supporting plate 19. As the bracket approaches lowered position upwardly for and therecords are in position to be supported by the-plate 19, the hooks'120 are withdrawn by engagement of the lugs 129 with the projections 130. The records are thereby. freed from the hooks so that they may be readily'discharged into playing position. -When twelve-inch records are mounted on thejoracket; the hooks areforced back to the position shownin dotted lines in Fig;

2, and the cars 12'? engagedn the recess 128.;

Thus, they are held in position so. that upon the projections 131 will be in position toengageon the projections-130 for; drawing thehooks away from record engagement; 1

from'the supported group. onto ,theturutable into playing position, there isprovided'a handle135 mounted on the shaft .35, whichshaft is-adapted To permit the record to be manuallydischarged bracket being lowered into. operative positiomthe to actuate the. record discharge-platen; as set forth above and in the Coriending application's.

Thus, it is not necessary to depend upon the mechanism .for automatically discharging the record, but where desired. a record may bemanuion provided with a recess 201 in which the record engaging finger 202 is pivotallymounted at 203.

Aslot 204 is provided at the top of the recess into which the end of the fingergextends. for holding it in the recess adjacent the centering pin. The

fingeris providediwithawbase 205"adjacent the shoulder 206 of therecessed portion inwhich the spring 209 is mounted, which spring has a head 210 bearing against thebase 205.

By means of this construction. the fingeris normally forced outwardly under spring tension to .theposition shown in full lines so as to'engage and .interlock with the edge of the center-holeiofthe centering pin rotatable therewith for extending through the center opening in the record, a mem ber mounted on saidcentering pin and movable relative thereto for engagingxtheinner edge of the center opening for locking it-in playing posh tion, and meansfor movingsaid member to non-engaging-position when the record is mounted over the centering pin and to record-engaging position upon the record being supported by the turntable in playing position. '2

2. In a phonograph for playing disk records having a center opening therein, the combination with a turntable, of a centering. pin rotatable therewith for extending through the center opening in the. record saidcentering pin being pro vided with a recess therein, a locking finger mounted in said recess in position to. permit the record to be mounted=overysaid pin,-and means for forcing said fingerzawayfrom said recess into engagement with the. inner surface of the center. opening in the record ,when inplaying position.

3. In a phonograph for playing disk recordshaving a center opening therein, the combination with a turntable, of .a centering pin rotatable therewith for extending through the center opening in. the record, said centering pinbeing provided with a recess therein, a locking finger mounted in said recess in position to permit the record to be mounted over said pin, means for yieldingly forcing said finger out of said recess into locking engagement with the inner surface ofthe center opening in the record, and means 1 for retracting said. finger into said recess during the positioning of a record thereover.

4. In a phonograph for playing disk records having a center opening therein, the combination with a turntable, of a rigid centering pin rotatable therewith for extending through the centeropem'ng in the record, said centering pin being provided with a recess therein, a finger pivotallymounted in said recess, an actuating bar slidably mounted in said centering pin, means for causing said bar to force said finger into locking ii engagement with said record when in playing position, and means for actuating said bar to re- ,tract said finger for permitting a record to be a mounted over the centering pin.

ing said bar to retract said finger for permitting a;

record to be mounted over the centering pin. 1

6.'In a phonograph for playing disk records having a center opening therein, the combination with a turntable, of a centering pin rotatable therewith for extending through the center open-, ing in the record, said centering pin being provided with arecess therein, a finger pivotally mounted in said recess, a bar longitudinally slidable in said recess, means for actuating said bar, and means on said bar for forcing said finger into locking engagement with a record when moved in one direction and retracting said finger out of locking engagement when moved in the opposite direction for preventinga record frombeing mounted over said centering pin.

7. In a phonograph, the combination with a longitudinally'fixed turntable for receiving and rotating a record having a center opening thereinpof a centering pin rotatable with said turntable, a group of records adjacent said; turntable, mechanism for transferring a'record from'the group to the turntable so as to be positioned thereon over said centering pin, means associated with said centering pin for engaging the inner periphery. of the center opening in a record for locking, it therewith :when' in playing position, and means actuated by said mechanism for moving said locking means to disengaging position for permitting a new record to be transferredin playing-position over said centering pin.

8. Ina phonograph, the combination with a turntable for receiving and rotating a record having. a center opening therein, of a centering pin rotatable with saidturntable, a group ,of records adjacent said turntable, mechanism for transferring a record from the group to the turntable, so as to be positioned thereon over said centering pin, means associated with said centering pin for engaging and looking a record therewith when in playing position, a spring for yieldingly forcing said means into locking position, and'positive means actuated by said mechanism for withdrawing said record locking means from engagement therewith.

9. In a phonograph, the combination with a longitudinally fixed turntable for receiving a plurality of recordshaving central openings therein, of

an elongated'centering pin extending upwardly therefrom, a'group of records supported above said turntable in position to permit the records to be re leased one at a time over said centering pin, automatically-controlled mechanism for releasing said member from record engaging position to permit a newrecord to freely pass over said centering pin into playing position, whereupon said member will be released to engage and lock said record.

10. In a phonograph, the combination'with a turntable for receiving a plurality of records, of an elongated centering pin extending upwardly therefrom and having a longitudinal recess therein, a group of records supported above said turntable in position to permit the records to be released one at a time over said centeringpin,

automatically-controlled mechanism for releasing said records, a record-locking finger pivotally mounted within the recess of said centering pin, a sliding bar associated therewith in said recess adapted to engage said pin and force the same into locking position when moved in one direction and retract the same within said recess out 7 of locking position when moved in the other di- ,rection, a spring for yieldingly moving said bar into position and yieldingly force said finger into locking position, and means actuated by .said mechanism for positively forcing said bar in the other direction for retracting said finger against the pressureof said spring while said 'mechanism is causing a new record to be dropped over said centering pin into playing position.

ll. In a phonograph for playing disk records having a center opening therein, the combination with a turntable, ofa centering pin rotatable therewith for extending through the center opening in the record, said centering pin being provided with a recess therein, an outwardly swinging locking finger mounted in said recess, and a spring for forcing said finger outwardly from said recess into locking engagement with the inner periphery of the center opening in the record under spring tension.

'12.'In aphonograph for playing disk records having a center opening therein, the combination with'a turntable, of a centering pin rotatable therewith for extending through the center openfinger into locking engagement with the record under spring tension, and a curved, shoulder adjacent the upper portion of said finger adapted to be engaged by a record as it passes over said centering pin for forcing said centering pin in,- wardly under spring tension for allowing "the record to pass thereover.

13-. In a phonograph for playing disk records having a center opening therein, the combination with a turntable, of a centering pin rotatable therewith for extending through the center opening in the record, said centering pin being provided with a recess therein, a locking finger pivotally mounted in said recess, said recess being'provided with a slot in whichfthe free end or" said finger is slidable for holding said finger in operative position. a base on the opposite side of the pivotal mounting of said finger, and a compression spring positioned in the centering pin adapted to bear against said base for normally forcing said pin outwardly into record engaging position while permitting said finger to be forced inwardly against the tension of said spring to permit a record to pass thereunder.

14. In an automatic record changing phono graph, the combination with a turntable, of a group of records tobe transferred into playing position, mechanism for effecting the transfer of a record from the mechanism to the turntable, a motor, clutch members for connecting said motor with said mechanism upon completion of a record, said clutch members being adapted to move toward and away from each other for engagement and disengagement of the clutch faces,

and means for forcing one of said members toward the other after engagement therebetween and retracting the same upon disengagement therewith, whereby the distance between the disengaged clutch faces will be increased.

15. In an automatic record changing phonograph, the combination with a turntable, of. a group of records to be transferred into playing position, mechanism for effecting the transfer of a record from the mechanism to the turntable, a motor, clutch members for connecting said motor with said mechanism upon completion of a record, said clutch members being adapted to move toward and away from each other for engagement and disengagement of the clutch faces, a yielding member for normally maintaining one of said members in spaced relation to the other, and a screw coupling for driving said last-mentioned member and forcing it forwardly for compressing said yielding member upon the clutch faces being engaged and resisting the rotary movement imparted by said screw coupling, whereby upon release of said clutch members, said yielding member will return said last-mentioned clutch member to normal position in spaced relation to the other clutch member.

16. In an automatic phonograph of the character described, the combination with a tumtable for receiving a plurality of records in playing position, of a bracket for supportinga plurality of records thereabove pivotally mounted with respect to said turntable and having a spindle for supporting said records through the center opening thereof, said supporting bracket being adapted to swing upwardly into vertical position for loading and downwardly into horizontal position for supporting said records over the turntable, a supporting plate for supporting the peripheries of the records when in horizontal position, and a member associated with said supporting bracket for engaging the peripheries of the records when loaded thereon and hold them in parallel relation to said bracket while being lowered into horizontal position.

17. In an automatic phonograph of the character described, the combination with a turntable for receiving a plurality of records in playing position, of a bracket for supporting a plurality of records thereabove pivotally mounted with respect to said turntable and having a spindle for supporting said records through the records when in operative position, a member associated'with said supporting bracket. for engaging the peripheries of the records when loaded thereongand hold them in parallel relation to said bracket while being lowered intooperative position, and means for automaticallyreleasing said member from said records upontheir being lowered onto said plate.

18. In an automatic-phonograph of thecharacter described, the combination with a turntable for receiving a plurality of records in playing position, of a'bracket for supporting a plurality of records thereabove pivotally mounted with 'respect to said turntable and having a spindle for supporting said records through the center opening thereof, saidsupporting bracket being adapted to swing upwardly for loading and-downwardly into operative position for supporting said records over the turntable, a supporting plate for supporting the peripheries of the records when in operative position, a member associated with said supporting bracket for engaging the peripheries of the records when loaded thereon and hold them in parallel relation'to said bracket while i being lowered into operative position, means for automatically releasing said member from said records upon their being-lowered onto said plate, and means associated with said memberv for automatically adjusting it v to releasing positionfor ivaryingsize records.

acter described, the combination-with aturntable for receiving a plurality. of records-in playing position, of a bracket for supporting a plurality of records thereabove pivotally mounted with respect to said turntable and having a spindle for supporting said records through the center opening thereof, said supporting bracket being adapted to swing upwardly for loading and downwardly into operative position for supporting said records over the turntable, a supporting plate for supporting the peripheries of the records when in operative position, and a pair of hook members pivotally mounted on said bracket and yieldingly held in position to be engaged by the records when loaded thereon for supporting the peripheries thereof when in loading position and while being lowered into operative position.

20. In an automatic phonograph of the character described, the combination with a turntable for receiving a plurality of records in playing position, of a bracket for supporting a plurality of records thereabove pivotally mounted with respect to said turntable and having a spindle for supporting said records through the center opening thereof, said supporting bracket being adapted to swing upwardly for loading and downwardly into operative position for supporting said records over the turntable, a supporting plate for supporting the peripheries of the records when in operative position, a pair of hook members pivotally mounted on said bracket and yieldingly held in position to be engaged by the records when loaded thereon for supporting the peripheries ,thereof when in loading position and while being lowered into operative position, and means for retracting said hooks from engagement with said records upon being lowered into horizontal position for permitting the free discharge thereof.

21. In an automatic phonograph of the character described, the combination with a tumtable for receiving a plurality of records in playing position, of a bracket for supporting a pluuse . 5 19. In an automatic phonogra-phof the charrality of records thereabove pivotally mounted with respect to said turntable and having a spindle for supporting said records through the center opening thereof, said supporting bracket being adapted to swing upwardly for loading and downwardly into operative position for supporting said records over the turntable, a supporting plate for supporting the peripheries of the records when in operative position, a pair of hook members pivotally mounted on said bracket and yieldingly held in position to be engaged by the records wh n loaded thereon for supporting the peripheri thereof when in loading position and while being lowered into operative position, means for retracting said hooks from engagement with said records upon being lowered into. operative position for permitting the free discharge thereof, said hooks being normally positioned for smaller size records, and interlocking members for automatically retaining said members in position for retraction from vlarger size records upon said records being mounted thereon.

22.,In an automatic phonograph of the character described, the combination with a tumtable for receiving a plurality of records in playing position, of means for supporting a plurality of records-adapted to be transferred into playing position onto said turntable,'mechanism for automatically transferring said records one at a time upon completion of the reproduction of the preceding record, a shaft actuated by the automatic duced record, and a manually operable member operable independently of said mechanism for actuating said releasing means for releasing a record into playing position.

24. In an automatic phonographof the char-.

acter described, the combination with a turntable for receiving a plurality'of records in playing position, of a bracket for supporting a plurality of records thereabove, means for releasing a record from said bracket to drop over the.

centering pin into playing position on said turntable, a shaft having means thereon for actuating said releasing means, mechanism for automatically actuating said shaft upon completion of a reproduced record, and a manually operable member operable independently of said mechanism for actuating said shaft' i'or releasing a position. EDWARD E; COLLISON. ARTHUR L. KNOX.

record into playing 

